Growth needs funding boost

THE 2016 Census reveals some startling results in the Far North.

There is a lot more of us, nearly 16,000 extra since the 2011 Census.

Analysis by economist Bill Cummings finds, that with the Northern Territory, the greater Cairns region has grown the most, 3000 more than estimated.

Growth was slower in Townsville (about 11,000), Mackay (about 3000) and Rockhampton (about 9500).

The Cairns region, including the Tablelands, Mareeba, Cassowary Coast and Douglas Shire, totalled almost 260,000 people, including 31,901 domestic visitors, but not international tourists.

The Northern Territory was next with 250,136, Townsville (233,727), Rockhampton (227,484) and Mackay (181,658).

Some other interesting facts included that we are getting older (39 is median age, up from 37), we are earning more ($1226 per household), but still below the Queensland average ($1402), nearly a third of us are not religious, that we are multicultural with Indians the fastest growing new foreign arrivals and that 43 per cent of residents are married.

The Census figures give our business and community leaders evidential clout to lobby for more money from all levels of government for vital infrastructure to support the expanding population.

These statistics cannot be ignored, especially by state and federal governments, in the fight for a fair share of taxpayer funds. Nick Dalton nick.dalton@news.com.au